Job Details

We are seeking a Senior Financial Planning Associate (Senior Wealth Strategist) in the Private Client Group of our wealth management firm. The Senior Financial Planning Associate uses expertise in various areas of financial, estate, and tax planning to provide holistic financial planning strategies and solutions. This role is a key member of a collaborative team providing their expertise in financial and estate planning to support the Managing Director in empowering the client to achieve their goals.

This position offers some work from home flexibility of up to 2 days per week after initial training period.

In this position you will manage the following:

Comprehensive Financial Planning and Strategy Development

• Develop and update comprehensive financial plans, scenarios, and recommendations tailored to client needs, including cash flow, retirement, education, tax, estate, and risk management.
• Provide analysis and recommendations for other financial planning strategies, Social Security, Medicare, pension, and executive compensation planning.
• Research and model financial, charitable, estate, and tax planning topics related to proposed or completed client transactions and offers analysis and recommendations.
• Develop knowledge of all assigned clients through proactively cultivating relationships with Managing Director's and understanding the client's financial position and goals through review of client files and CRM.
• Participates in client meetings to present financial plans, strategies, and educate clients on complex financial concepts.
• Review prospective client financial, estate, and insurance documents and prepare recommendations and strategies.

Estate and Legacy Planning

• Perform estate planning document reviews by reading clients' will, trusts, power of attorney, marital agreement, partnerships, or other legal documents and create summaries, flowcharts, observations and recommendations.
• Recommend estate plans that align with client values and minimize tax implications, addressing wealth transfer and philanthropic strategies.
• Collaborate with the client's estate attorney to coordinate client solutions.

Mentorship and Team Leadership

• Participate in training and educating team members on financial planning topics and deliverables.
• Review planning deliverables prepared by planning associates for thoroughness and accuracy and identify planning opportunities.
• May prepare white paper, articles, or guides for internal or external audience

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaboration with cross functional team: Managing Directors, tax, portfolio management, client service, and trust services.
• Interface with client attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to implement planning strategies.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, taxation, finance, or related field
• CFP or CPA designation a plus
• AEP designations a plus
• 5+ years' experience working for a wealth management firm or bank in financial or estate planning
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Strong client orientation
• Commitment to company values

Clearstead is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from minorities and women.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

The qualified candidate can expect:

• A flat, bureaucracy-free organizational structure that fosters creative thinking and involvement at all levels of the organization.
• The opportunity to join a growing firm that offers professional growth in an industry that is both dynamic and intellectually challenging.
• An opportunity to work with high-profile private clients and institutions across the country.
• A competitive base salary with an incentive bonus program
• 401(k) Savings plan with company contributions
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Long-term disability insurances
• Generous paid time off program

We are Clearstead...an independent institutional and wealth advisory firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our institutional clients include retirement funds, endowments and foundations, higher educational institutions, and healthcare organizations. Our private clients are families, individuals, and related entities.

There's a popular line at Clearstead, "There are no sharp elbows." There is a palpable sense of kindness and respect for one another; of doing what is right for clients and the firm. Our culture is collaborative and collegial and encourages sharing of information and ideas. This helps us attract and retain strong and motivated individuals.